Ask health and wellness questions and get free answers from top experts and other women who've been there. Click "ask" and your question is associated with your username. Click "ask secretly" and your question is anonymous.

How often should I exercise in a week?

Answers (2)

Jacqueline Aizen(Registered Dietician)answered(1/29/2013)You may have heard theo ld adage "if you don't move it you lose it." In a nutshell, staying active is important for multiple reasons and improves the health of the following: cardiovascular, immune, neurological, psychological, sexual, improves sleep, and the list goes on. A nice side effect of exercise is that you might shed a few unwanted pounds along the way. According to the CDC, adults require 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intense aerobic activity like brisk walking, jogging, dancing, or cycling each week, and strength training twice each week.If that sounds to intense and if you are new to exercise, don't try to run a marathon your first day. Also, keep in mind, that you don't have to join a gym to "exercise." Walking and dancing are free so shimmy and shake wherever you are.Have fun!~J~

Christina Estrada(Certified Master Elite Trainer)answered(1/31/2013)I agree with Jacqueline. You don't need a gym membership to exercise, but you do need to exercise.

I suggest to all of my clients that they engage in strength/resistance training at least two to four times per week. This is especially important for women who are over 30. Why? Our bone mass begins to decline as we age and resistance training prevents this from happening.

I also suggest at least two to three days of cardiovascular exercise. I don't recommend it for fat loss, but rather for heart health. And finally, I encourage everyone to stretch every day.

Hope that helps! BTW, it's always difficult to start an exercise program, but if you can stick with it for at least 90 days, it will become habit and you'll start to notice some really wonderful side effects from your new, active lifestyle!